Not everyone is good at coming up with a productive purpose on their own. A job lets those people adopt a purpose that gives their life some structure and meaning. Without it, people often waste away... all the people who die shortly after retirement, as an example. Add money into the mix, and that money can fund a drug habit as an escape for a lack of purpose. Drug overdoses spiked when the covid checks were sent out. Giving someone without purpose, and a drug habit, a bunch of free money can kill them.
I'm not opposed to the idea of UBI, I think we should at least set up the framework, so we can turn the dial up or down, depending on how things go with AI and robotics. The issues mentioned are some downsides I do think about and why I don't think it's as straightforward as "give everyone money and they'll start doing art."
I think universal healthcare alone would let a lot of people choose the job they want, instead of the job they feel they need.
I'm opposed to the idea of UBI entirely. I think we should take care of the poor and needy, but UBI, imo, isn't the way to get there. There are infinite jobs out there, the problem is paying for them. Go plant trees, build housing, teach children. If money happened that people could do whatever things and get paid for it, would be a better solution than free money from the sky for nothing.
You utterly missed the possibility that if everyone had their basic needs covered, people just might go out and plant trees, teach, and build housing with their free time. Because people already do all those things as volunteers. Imagine how much more it could happen it people did not have to go burn all their energy working, sometimes two jobs, just to get food and pay rent.
They might, but my read on human psychology over civilization is that there needs to be a system in place to incentivize it. Fortunately I'm not in charge of anything, all I can do is blather about things on the Internet.
UBI doesn’t mean a money-less society; it just means you won’t just die or go into debt if you lose your job. I imagine most jobs would still exist and continue providing the same incentives for those who want to pursue them.
pm90 · · focus · HN ↗
sphinxterai · · focus · HN ↗
gopher_space · · focus · HN ↗
As an employer, UBI and universal healthcare might slash payroll costs and eliminate most of the hiring process.
As a founder, UBI might remove the funding barrier to entry.
What's the downside, and who is it a downside for?
al_borland · · focus · HN ↗
I'm not opposed to the idea of UBI, I think we should at least set up the framework, so we can turn the dial up or down, depending on how things go with AI and robotics. The issues mentioned are some downsides I do think about and why I don't think it's as straightforward as "give everyone money and they'll start doing art."
I think universal healthcare alone would let a lot of people choose the job they want, instead of the job they feel they need.
fragmede · · focus · HN ↗
codingdave · · focus · HN ↗
fragmede · · focus · HN ↗
pm90 · · focus · HN ↗